Protective helmet



June 19, 1962 J. w. LOHRENZ 3,039,108

PROTECTIVE HELMET Filed July 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 63 I John W. Lohrenz INVENTOR.

June 19, 1962 J. w. LOHRENZ PROTECTIVE HELMET 2 Sheets-She'et 2 Filed July 14, 1958 John W. Lahren! INVENTOR.

Patented June 19, 1962 3,039,108 PROTECTIVE I-ELMET John W. Lohrenz, 19036 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, Calif. Filed July 14, 1958, Ser. No. 748,354 Claims. (Cl. 23)

The present invention generally relates to a protective helmet, and more particularly to a helmet incorporating shock absorbing features in its construction for providing a high degree of safety and comfort for the wearer.

In various fields of endeavor, the use of protective head gear is recommended and in some instances required. An example of the use of protective helmets is in the field of racing whether it be automobile, motorcycles, boats and in many other uses connected with sports. Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a protective helmet which is extremely light in weight but provided with the strength and impact resistance characteristics necessary for protecting the wearer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet incorporating a rigid inner and outer shell spaced by a resilient cushion together with a structure which engages the head and retains the helmet in position while also providing further absorption of shock by employing the resistance to shear in the event of an impact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet which is simple in construction, easy to use, extremely safe, well adapted for its intended purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the helmet of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the helmet;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the details of construction of the helmet; and

FIGURE 4 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 illustrating further structural details of the helmet.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral generally designates the helmet construction of the present invention which incorporates an outer shell 12 and an inner shell 14 which are spaced in relation to each other throughout their surfaces and are held in spaced relation by a semi-resilient expanded material such as foam plastic or vinyl sponge which is poured between the shells and foams up thus filling the entire cavity between the shells 12 and 14. This semi-resilient or cushioning material is designated by the numeral 16. The shells 12 and 14 are of the same configuration and, as shown in FIGURE 3, are substantially semi-spherical in a longitudinal direction but more nearly semi-oval in a transverse direction as shown in FIGURE 4. The forward lower edge of each of the shells 12 and 14 is disposed above the rear portion with there being a down curved portion at either side of the helmet. A peripheral U-shaped piece of heavy cowhide leather 18 is disposed on the forward edge of the shells 12 and 14 and forms a durable edging and closure for the space between the shells and is secured thereto by stitching 20.

Attached to the forward portion of the outer shell 12 is a sunvisor or brim 22 having an upwardly extending attaching flange 24- at the rear edge thereof with fasteners such as snaps 26 holding the flange 24 to the outer shell 12 thus mounting the visor 22 for extending downwardly and divergingly in relation to the surface of the outer shell 12 for protecting the eyes of the wearer from glare and also for protecting the eyes of the wearer in the event of an impact in this area. The visor 22 may be of any suitable construction and may be of a laminated material of relatively great strength and provided with an edge binding tape 28 and which also may be constructed to break away in the event of an impact of a predetermined magnitude thus providing a certain degree of progressive destruction for cushioning the shock of such an impact if it engages the helmet in such a manner that the visor 22 is engaged.

Disposed in the dome on the inner surface of the inner shell 14 is an enlarged cushion member 30 made of the same cushioning material 16 which may be a sponge vinyl or foam plastic.

Disposed peripherally on the inner surface of the inner shell 14 in generally the same horizontal plane as the lower portion of the front of the inner shell 14, there is provided a head band 32 of resilient material or rubber and a neck band suspension uni-t generally designated by the numeral 34 is secured in position in the inner dome by stitching 35 which also holds the head band 32 in position. The suspension unit 34 includes a generally semi-spherical suspension member 38 of a flexible material having an opening 40 at the upper end thereof with the opening being defined by a hem portion 42 having a draw string 44 therein which may be adjusted in length by using a knot 46 for varying the size of the opening and conforming the suspension element 36 to the shape and size of a particular head. Overlying the opening 40 is a wide band of webbing 48 extending from the head band in front to the head band in the rear and a similar transverse band 50 extending from the head band at one side to the head band at the other side. The construction of the suspension member 38 is such that it will normally absorb any shock but when the same gives away, the resilient material 30 will absorb the shock as will the resilient material 16.

Extending downwardly from a portion of the lower end of the suspension member 38 is a neck protector generally designated by the numeral 52 and including a generally U-shaped member 54 having the bight portion 56 constructed of quilted and padded leather lined with a soft absorbent fabric material and provided with the insert 58 of cushioning material and the upper edge thereof being stitched to the shell 14 by several rows of stitching 3'6 which also holds the suspension member 38 and the resilient head band 32 in position. The lower end edges of the U-shaped member 54- is provided with depending extensions 60 and 61 which extend under the chin into sesame overlapped relation and form a neck receiving opening 62. The extension 6t? is provided with a leather loop 63 secured to the outer surface thereof as by stitching 64-. The other extension 61 is provided with a strong leather strap 74 secured to the outer surface thereof as by stitching 76. The end of the strap 74 is narrow and provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures '78 for receiving the tongue of a buckle 80 which is mounted on the loop 63. The end of the strap 74 attached to the extension '61 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced female snap fastener elements 52 opening inwardly of the extension 61 for detachably engaging similarly arranged male snap fastener elements on the free end of extension 60 for cooperating with the buckle 8i) and strap 74 in retaining the helmet in position.

The member 54 is provided with a pair of openings 66 each overlying an ear and having an overlying member 63 attached thereto along the forward curved edge by stitching 7G with the rear edge thereof being free and sufliciently long as designated by the numeral 72, so that the same will open rearwardly thus providing for sound to enter the ears of the person using the helmet while diverting dirt away from openings 66 and preventing the entrance of any wind noise.

The sandwich construction of the inner and outer shells and the inner resilient material 16 provides cushioning and shock absorbing qualities with further absorption and shock being accomplished by the padded neck piece and suspension unit which is stitched through the rubber head band and inner shell. This construction provides a cushioning effect by the shearing action that takes place in the event of an impact. The sponge material 36 is provided on the inside of the inner shell above the suspension unit in case the suspension unit tears loose.

The inner and outer shells may be constructed of reinforced plastic which is pressure molded with the various cushioning materials being in the form of a vinyl sponge with the mechanism for engaging the head of the wearer being constructed of leather which is the only material presently available that has the necessary strength qualities. This construction also provides for protection of the neck at the back of the skull due to the padded area 56 and protects substantially the entire head but yet permits normal operation of the various persons using the device.

With shells 12 and 14 being rigid in themselvesand spaced from each, a tremendous rigidity is accomplished. By using the padded leather neckpiece shaped to support the neck, this helmet stays in proper position on the wearer and the shells cannot dig into the neck thereby preventing rabbit punchin every time a wearer receives a bump. The shock absorption obtained by the head harness combination shearing through the head band rubber material and the external shock absorption obtained by even fracturing the outer shell and compressing the sandwich filling of sponge material between the shells provides an effective absorption helmet not previously available.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A protective helmet comprising inner and outer hollow shells of generally semi-spherical shape with the shells being constructed of a rigid reinforced plastic material, spaced throughout the area thereof, a vinyl sponge completely filling the space between the shells with the sponge having a relatively low recovery rate thus eliminating any possibility of fast recovery of the position of the shells, said cushioning material being bonded to the shells, flexible means sealingly interconnecting the spaced peripheral edges of the shells to permit relative movement between the shells, a head supporting harness means mounted on the inner shell and engageable with the inner shell for mounting the helmet, said harness means including a head receiving harness memher, a resilient headband interconnecting the harness member with the inner shell whereby movement of the harness member will cause a shear action exerted on the headband thus cushioning the harness.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of crossed straps are attached to the edges of the inner shell, said harness including a solid head portion having an opening in the top thereof with the opening being closable by a drawstring.

3. A protective helmet comprising an inner hollow shell of generally semi-spherical construction, an outer hollow shell of generally semi-spherical construction, said shells being rigid and concentrically spaced from each other throughout the area thereof, a layer of cushioning material disposed between the inner and outer shells for cushioning relative movement between the shells, and a harness connected with the inner shell for holding the helmet on the head of a wearer, said harness including a suspension member having an opening in the top thereof, a pad of cushioning material attached to the inner surface of the inner shell and located above the opening, and a drawstring defining the periphery of the opening for conforming the suspension member to the shape and size of the head of the wearer and providing a depth adjustment, the forward lower edge of the helmet being recessed and provided with a forwardly and downwardly projecting sun visor, a chin strap connected with said suspension member and including fastening means for securing the chin strap adjustably under the chin of the wearer, a quilted leather neck protector extending downwardly from the suspension member and overlying the rear portion of the neck, ear covering flaps integral with the neck protector and the chin strap and provided with openings ovenlying the ears, an overlying member on the outer surface of the flaps in overlying relation to the openings for protecting the ears, said overlying member for the ear openings being secured to the flaps along the forward edge of the openings therein for leaving the rear edge open for increasing the hearing ability of the person using the device and diverting dirt away from the ears, and a crossed webbing extending between the suspension member and the inner shell with the webbing being attached to the inner shell with the point of crossing being spaced from the inner shell and above the opening.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said harness is connected to the lower edge of the inner shell, a resilient headband disposed between the harness and the inner shell for imparting a shear force to the resilient headband when movement of the harness occurs in relation to the inner shell thus absorbing the shock of such relative movement.

5. A protective helmet comprising substantially concentrically spaced inner and outer hollow shells of substantially semi-spherical shape, said shells being constructed of a rigid, lightweight plastic material, a cushioning filler disposed between the shells and completely occupying the space between the shells, said filler being constructed of a cellular material and having a relatively low recovery rate thereby eliminating fast recovery of the position of the shells in relation to each other, thus eliminating snap back of the shells, said filler being bonded to the shells for normally retaining the shells in a fixed relative position, flexible means sealingly interconnecting the peripheral edges of the shells to permit relative movement therebetween, said flexible means and tiller forming the sole connection between the inner and outer shells, a resilient headband disposed along the inner surface of the lower edge portion of the inner shell, a head supporting harness means mounted on the resilient headband, said harness means including an adjustable head receiving harness member, a chain strap attached to the head receiving harness member for securely retaining the harness member in position on the head whereby forces tending to cause relative movement between the harness member and the inner shell will be resisted by the shear strength of the resilient headband.

2,629,095 Kleinman Feb. 24, 1953 6 Richter Sept. 18, 1956 Bjorksten et a1. Oct. 30, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 'Feb. 8, 1923 Great Britain June 23, 1938 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1940 Switzerland Mar. 15, 1952 Great Britain Oct. 20, 1954 

1. A PROTECTIVE HELMET COMPRISING INNER AND OUTER HOLLOW SHELLS OF GENERALLY SEMI-SPHERICAL SHAPE WITH THE SHELLS BEING CONSTRAUCTED OF A RIGID REIFORCED PLASTIC MATERIAL, SPACED THROUGHOUT THE AREA THEREOF, A VINYL SPONGE COMPLETELY FILLING TAHE SPACE BETWEEN THE SHELLS WITH THE SPONGE HAVING A RELATIVELY LOW RAECOVERY RATAE THUS ELIMINATING ANY POSSIBILITY OF FAST RECOVERY OF THE POSITION OF THE SHELLS, SAID CUSHIONING MATAERIAL BEING BONDED TO THE SHELLS, FLEXIBLE MEANS SEALINGLY INTERCONNECTING THE SPACED PERIPHERAL EDGES OF THE SHELLS TO PERMIT RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN STHE SHELLS, A HEAD SUPPORTING HARNESS MEANS MOUNTED ON THE INNER SHELL AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE INNER SHELL FORA MOUNTING THE HELMET, SAID HARNESS MEANS INCLUDING A HEAD RAECEIVING HARNESS MEMBER, A RESILIENT HEADBAND INTERCONNECTING TAHE HARNESS MEMBER WITH THE INNER SHELL WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF THE HARNESS MEMBER WILL CAUSE A SHEAR ACTION EXERTED ON THE HEADBAND THUS CUSHIONING THE HARNESS. 